MrBeast’s “NFL Buyout” Claim Turns Out to Be a Marketing Stunt, Not an Acquisition

September 3, 2025 - In a lighthearted teaser released today, YouTube sensation Jimmy “MrBeast” Donaldson jokingly proclaimed, “I bought the NFL,” sparking a social media frenzy among fans and fueling speculation over whether he had truly acquired the league. In reality, the claim is part of a promotional campaign for YouTube’s first-ever exclusive live NFL broadcast of the Kansas City Chiefs vs. Los Angeles Chargers game this Friday.

The promotional video, unveiled by YouTube and the NFL, features MrBeast alongside Commissioner Roger Goodell and spotlights a roster of top creators-such as IShowSpeed, Dude Perfect, Sketch, and Valkyrae-imagining a “54th roster spot” on every team for YouTubers. The stunt is designed to drive excitement for the Week 1 matchup streaming free on YouTube from São Paulo, Brazil, on September 5, 2025, with pregame coverage beginning at 4 p.m. PT/7 p.m. ET and kickoff at 5 p.m. PT/8 p.m. ET.

Despite MrBeast’s on-screen quip and an Instagram post showing him posing with Goodell, there is no transfer of ownership. The NFL remains under its existing ownership structure; MrBeast’s announcement was a tongue-in-cheek element of the league’s broader YouTube promotion. Fans briefly entertained the possibility-memes circulated depicting Goodell handing over league documents-but were swiftly reminded that the stunt’s sole purpose was to hype YouTube’s streaming debut with the NFL.

The campaign has generated substantial buzz: social media users debated the implications of a YouTuber owning the league, and NFL RedZone fans joked about demands to “fix the ads.” The NFL’s collaboration with digital creators underscores a broader strategy to engage younger audiences by blending traditional sports with creator-driven content, marking a cultural shift in how live sports are presented and consumed.